@article{ref1,
title="Cannabis use and patterns among middle and older aged Canadians prior to legalization: a sex-specific analysis of the Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs  Survey",
journal="BMC public health",
year="2021",
author="Tamim, Hala and Khanlou, Nazilla and Mehra, Vrati M. and Keethakumar, Asvini",
volume="21",
number="1",
pages="e26-e26",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The recreational use of cannabis was legalized across Canada in October 2018. While many people use cannabis without harm, adverse outcomes have been noted  in a few populations, including middle-aged and older adults. Given that the current  literature has neglected to study cannabis use among this population and between  sexes, the objective of our study was to identify the prevalence, characteristics,  and patterns of cannabis use among middle and older aged males and females prior to  legalization in Canada. <br><br>METHODS: Secondary analysis was conducted on the Canadian  Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey 2017, with the sample restricted to adults ages 40  and above. The main outcome was defined as past-year cannabis use and statistical  analysis was conducted separately for males and females. Bivariate and multivariable  logistic regression was performed to identify associations between the main outcome  and various sociodemographic, health, and substance use variables. Explanatory  supplementary variables were also explored. <br><br>RESULTS: In 2017, 5.9% of females and  9.0% of males over the age of 40 reported past-year cannabis use. Almost 62% of  males who used cannabis in the past-year reported a failed attempt at reducing or  stopping their cannabis use. Over half (56%) of older females, self-reported using  cannabis for medical purposes. Additionally, over one in five older adults reported  using a vaporizer or e-cigarette as a delivery method for cannabis. Significant  characteristics of male cannabis use included having no marital partner, cigarette  smoking, and illegal drug use. Furthermore, significant predictors of past-year  cannabis use in females included residing in an urban community, Eastern- Atlantic  provinces or British Columbia, having fair/poor mental health, smoking cigarettes,  use of other tobacco products, and illegal drugs. <br><br>CONCLUSION: To our such knowledge,  this is the first nationally representative study to outline the prevalence,  characteristics, and patterns of past-year cannabis use prior to Canadian  legalization, among middle and older aged Canadians. <br><br>RESULTS from this study are  expected to be used to reliably to track changes in usage, behaviours, and related  disorders in the years to come.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1471-2458",
doi="10.1186/s12889-020-10074-z",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-10074-z"
}